Simmer & Stir

Chapter 18

For our dinner date, I decided to dress modestly. Not that I owned anything fancy but after checking Linda's scintillating dress selection, I was content with mine.

"You'll look fab." Linda stood near my door, holding her pink and red-colored vanity case.

Once I managed to lock myself in a simple black dress with straps tinier than noodles, she entered and shoved me into a revolving chair, draping a towel over my shoulder.

"Am I getting a haircut?" I asked, looking at the way I was wrapped in protection.

Either that or Linda was a messy makeup artist. Since the time she experimented on my face for the gala, I couldn't believe the talent this woman possessed which wasn't about cooking.

Today's prep was her two minutes to fame. Without any further delay, Linda tipped my eyelids shut. Being perched on the chair, I felt cold from whatever soft, damp thing she was plastering over my face. Whenever I cringed my face, she would click her tongue, restricting me from doing it any further.

After a century passed and I was old and grey, Linda pulled the towel from around me, exposing me to the mirror.

"Open your eyes slowly. The liner is still wet," she said, tapping my shoulder.

I was prepared for the worst. As my heavy eyelids fluttered open, I stared at the girl who watched me with amusement from the reflection. With big doe eyes to a dewy face and a nose that suddenly seemed narrower than usual, I couldn't help adore myself. My red painted lips curled up and the soft shimmer that was nowhere visible before, suddenly popped up to brighten me.

"OMG, I look like a model," I cried, almost ready to break into tears when Linda rattled me, tipping my chin up.

"Don't smudge my masterpiece, hon. Now go, entice your boyfriend," she said, winking.

It was barely a second later then the doorbell rang. I hopped out of my room, springs attached to my feet.

On the opposite side of the door, Philip stood with a bouquet of daisies.

I scanned him from top to bottom. The royal blue suit matched with his whitish tone and the maroon pocket square was only the tip of the iceberg that hit and sank my ship of words.

"You look..." I tried but his gaze remained glued nearby. Words refused to escape.

"Here," he lent out the flowers from his hold and gave a soft smile, lending his hand. "Are you ready darling?"

"Oh yes." I tossed the bouquet towards Linda who pounced on it mid-air like a bridesmaid. "Thank you for the flowers."

After I slid into my heels and slung my - well Linda's clutch, we walked out.

"You kids have fun." Like a mother sending her daughter away on a prom night, Linda stood at the door and waved. Philip gushed before waiving at the direction her voice emanated from.

Luke drove us to the restaurant which wasn't fancy. Yet, it was crowded.

"Next time I'll do better," Luke said, turning off the ignition and waited for us to exit.

"What next time?" My forehead cringed as I waited for him to answer. Luke's head stooped low and he looked away.

Philip coiled his hand into mine as we walked out. For my 'what did Luke meant' question, he simply nodded sidewise.

The host showed us to our table and my question was lost in the transit. I pulled my chair nearer to Philip's, suddenly feeling intimidated by nothing.

"Hey, I forgot to tell you earlier but you look devilishly handsome," I whispered, intertwining our fingers together. "There are so many things I'm planning on doing tonight that you would be sore tomorrow and the next day and the next."